"Master! Save... save me..."
Severely injured, Shangguan Pojun flailed his limbs like a toad, his face flushed a deep crimson.
"Let him go!" Shangguan He’s expression turned grim as he roared at Long Chen. "Not only did you cause trouble in the Earth Institute and kill its disciples, but you now want to harm my Direct Disciple? Do you have any regard for the rules of the Martial Ancestor?"
Long Chen offered a faint smile. "I believe you’re mistaken. Today’s battle was not a matter of me causing trouble. This was a life-and-death duel between us, agreed upon three days ago. Their deaths are justified, and I bear no responsibility."
Seeing Long Chen dare to retort, Shangguan He’s expression darkened further. The other disciples fell silent, not daring to utter a word. Before them stood the Great Elder of the Earth Institute; no one dared to offend him rashly, for they knew they could not withstand his rage.
"I don’t care what kind of battle it was," Shangguan He said coldly. "All I know is that Shangguan Pojun is my Direct Disciple. I am giving you one chance: release him immediately! Otherwise, you will face the consequences!" A wave of killing intent emanated from him, causing the onlookers to shiver and instinctively step back, afraid of being implicated.
"Great Elder Shangguan He, this was a life-and-death challenge. Life and death are determined by fate. For you to hold him accountable now is surely inappropriate," Chu Lingjun said, stepping forward to speak for Long Chen.
"That’s right," Chen Yao chimed in. "Great Elder Shangguan He, your actions are indeed inappropriate!"
"Great Elder Shangguan He, you know the rules of a life-and-death battle in the Martial Ancestor," Tuoba Jiao added, her tone laced with dissatisfaction. "With so many disciples watching, do you really intend to show favoritism in public? If you do, it will be very hard to command respect!"
Shangguan He’s face filled with displeasure. "Since when is it the place of you little girls to tell me how to handle my affairs? This has nothing to do with you. Leave at once!"
"Shangguan He, are you truly that shameless?" Chu Lingjun’s tone grew even colder.
"Presumptuous!" Shangguan He bellowed. "You have no right to speak here! Now, get out!"
With a mighty wave of his hand, a surge of Qi Force swept out, forcing Chu Lingjun and the others back several steps. Shangguan He’s icy gaze fell upon Long Chen once more. "I will say this one last time: release my disciple!"
"Fine. As you wish, I’ll release him," Long Chen said indifferently. He then grabbed Shangguan Pojun and violently smashed him into the ground.
BANG!
CRACK!
A loud thud echoed, accompanied by the sickening sound of multiple bones breaking. Shangguan Pojun spat out a mouthful of fresh blood as heart-wrenching pain shot through him, causing him to let out a scream like a pig being slaughtered.
Long Chen then brought his foot down on the man’s head.
BANG!
Shangguan Pojun’s head burst open like a cracked melon, its red and white contents spilling out.
Everyone present gasped. No one had expected Long Chen to directly defy the Great Elder’s orders and kill Shangguan Pojun right in front of him. This was audacity beyond belief.
"Po Jun!" Shangguan He roared, utterly enraged. He had watched Shangguan Pojun grow up; their master-disciple bond was as deep as that of a father and son. Witnessing his disciple die so brutally before his very eyes filled him with unbearable agony.
His grim gaze locked onto Long Chen. "You dared to kill my disciple! I will take your miserable life and avenge him!"